Thursday, June 13, 2013

I am a mystery buff. I read detective novels — heck, I write them! I relish whodunnit movies and miniseries. I follow along with stories of true crimes past and present. And I watch a lot of crime dramas on TV.

I like to think I'm pretty much a full-fledged detective myself … of the armchair variety.

I might never have analyzed a peculiar residue left at a crime scene or immediately identified the cause of death of badly decomposed remains or tricked a suspect into confessing on tape. But I like to think I could — if I ever stood up and went outdoors. Yep, I'm an indoor gumshoe, and proud of it! I can totally solve anything … that's on TV.

Which is why I was so happy to receive an advance copy of the first episode of the second season of Perception, a crime drama on TNT. TNT is known as the Home of Crime Drama, and indeed, many of my favorite detective-in-training shows are right there on that channel!

I had never seen Perception, though, so I was eager to give it a viewing.

Hey, girl. Would you like a side of dreaminess with your detecting?

Dr. Daniel Pierce is the main character played by the swooningly handsome Eric McCormack. (Hey, it never hurts to enjoy looking at your detectives!) He's an interesting and unique character in the world of detective fiction, because he has the expected genius when it comes to observing, reading people, and analyzing clues, but with a twist — he has schizophrenia, and the hallucinations and voices in his head can cloud his work even as they illuminate what his subconscious is mulling over. His training in neuropsychiatry helps him see clues in minute facial expressions, while his hallucinations actually help him focus in on the solution to the crime.

I got to see only the one episode, but it's intrigued me enough to want to see more. In the second season, everyone's doubt about a murder Dr. Pierce (thinks he) witnessed has landed him in deeper trouble, and the race is on to clear his reputation, reassure him and his supporters about his abilities, and, of course, solve the crime.

Rachael Leigh Cook is Special Agent Kate Moretti of the FBI who has recruited Dr. Pierce for his finely honed skills in neuropsychiatry, and Arjay Smith is his teaching assistant who helps him distinguish reality from fantasy, a role I found particularly interesting.

I can tell from the premiere episode of season two that this drama is the type to delve deeply into the interpersonal relationships between characters even as the episodes solve individual crimes. I'm encouraged that they're dealing in particular with the subject of mental illness in what seems so far to be a sensitive and enlightening way: Dr. Pierce is a respected professor and consultant who also has a mental illness, and a powerful one at that. I hope and trust that the series continually probes the stigma and reality surrounding mental illness.

In addition to all that, I appreciated the high-quality production, screenwriting, and acting I've come to associate with TNT and can't wait to see more!

The second season of Perceptionairs on Tuesdays at 10/9C this summer starting June 25, so fluff up your armchair cushions and settle in for some living-room detective work! Visit TNT for more information about Perception and the other summer shows in the lineup.

You can enter to win a giveaway for a $100 Visa gift card by commenting with your answer to a simple question: How skilled an armchair detective are you?

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I hate to admit this but I'm not very skilled at figuring out whodunit but that's what I love when the writer makes the ending such a surprise to me. Hubby is very skilled and loves when he's right. :)vinter(at)warwick(dot)net

I think I'm pretty skilled! My husband and I always make our predictions (about shows and movies) and award each other with high-fives when they're correct. I actually did watch the entire first season of Perception and am excited for it to start up again next week!

Oh and regarding the previous question... I'm a good enough detective to know that the red blot on my daughter's homemade cast is marker and not blood as she is so determined to have me believe. To the lab!

It depends. Elementary is a show that totally confounds me and I don't think the writers expect people to 'find' the clues. So I sit back and enjoy the story that develops without stressing myself. But most of the other shows I'm far more active watching for clues and trying to figure it out.

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Riding the rails with my husband, Crackerdog Sam, and our hobo kids, Mikko Lint Picker (born June 2007), Alrik Irontrousers (born May 2011), and Karsten (born October 2014). Trying every day to parent intentionally and with grace.